Ford Ironman Wisconsin

ABOUT MADISON

Madison is rich in history >>

There's lots to see and do >>

Why Madison? Madison has consistently been ranked as among one of the finest small cities in the United States.

Madison is not only one of the fittest cities in America, but supports one of the top Universities in the Midwest in the University of Wisconsin. More than 40,000 attend UW, and with the tentative courses going through and around the campus (as well as a population base of 200,000+), Ironman Wisconsin could feature the most spectators of any Ironman event in the world.

Here is just a sampling of what people are saying about Madison.

  • America's Best Adventure Towns
    National Geographic, October, 2009

    "Most Unique American Cities & Towns"
    Newsmax Magazine,  April, 2009

    Madison 8th Healthiest Place for Women
    Self Magazine, October 2009

    Madison 13th Best Place to Live
    Triathlete Magazine, September, 2009

    One of the 30 Best Towns in America
    Outside, August, 2007 

    One of the Top Ten Best Outdoor-Oriented Towns
    Yahoo! Real Estate, Fall, 2007

    One of the Nation's 25 Best Cities in Which to Live
    Kiplinger's Personal Finance, June, 2007

    One of the Top Ten Greenest Cities
    Yahoo! Real Estate, May, 2007

    One of the Top 10 Best Green Large Cities
    Country Home, April, 2007

    Best Outside Towns 2006: Madison Rated Best Road Biking Town in America
    Outside, August, 2006

    #1 City for Cycling (Population: 200,000-500,000)
    Bicycling, March, 2006

Fast Facts on Madison

Population

  • City of Madison: 200,814
  • Dane County: 398,233

Weather

Average High Temperatures:

  • Spring: 56.1 deg F
  • Summer: 80.8 deg F
  • Autumn: 59.2 deg F
  • Winter: 28.4 deg F

Average Precipitation: 30.84"

Average Annual Snowfall: 42"

Geography

  • Avg. elevation: 845.6 feet above mean sea level
  • Topography: Rolling
  • Area of County: 789,100 acres (1200 square miles)
  • Area of City: 39,827 acres (62.2 square miles)
  • Number of County Lakes: 35 (25 with public access)
  • Area of county lakes: 21,366 acres
  • Major lake names: Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, Kegonsa
  • Farmland (Dane County): 569,937 acres (75% of total county)

Recreation

Local public land designated for recreational use:

  • State: 17,203 acres
  • County: 4,461 acres
  • City: 5,800 acres

Water-related recreation areas and facilities (county):

  • Canoeing: 48 miles
  • Swimming: 32 areas, 92 miles of shoreline
  • Boating: 40 launching sites

Land-related recreational areas and facilities (county):

Golf courses:

  • Public courses: 16
  • Private courses: 5

Major hiking trails: more than 150 miles

Hunting: 8,548 acres

Snowmobile trails: 240 miles

Downhill skiing: 1 area, 6 runs

Cross-country skiing: 14 areas, more than 100 miles

Sledding areas: 13 hills

Skating facilities: 40